CANADIENS SWAP MINOR LEAGUE FORWARDS – Steve Quailer to LA for Robert Czarnik

Robert Czarnik – Acquired from Los Angeles Kings in Minor League TradeFrom C

The Canadiens acquired forward Robert Czarnik from the Los Angeles Kings organization in return for Hamilton Bulldogs right winger Steve Quailer Thursday.

Quailer had pretty much played himself out consideration as a Canadiens “prospect” by the time they traded him for another forward who’s career had hit the developmental wall.

Quailer had size but never played a power game and showed little scoring talent. He played in only 12 games this season and none since late November because of a suspected shoulder injury.

Czarnik came out of his final year of junior hockey as a point-per-game producer but has He not been able to translate that in his two AHL seasons. He has a reputation as a versatile forward who can play in all three zones but will never score enough to be considered anything but a fringe NHLer.

Both players will report to minor league affiliates; Czarnik to Hamilton and Quailer to the Manchester Monarchs.

From Canadiens Communications

MONTREAL, QUEBEC – Montreal Canadiens and Hamilton Bulldogs General Manager Marc Bergevin announced today the Canadiens have acquired forward Robert Czarnik from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for forward Steve Quailer.

Czarnik is in his third American Hockey League season and will report to the Bulldogs. In 29 games this season with Los Angeles’ AHL affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs, the 6’1”, 188-pound forward has recorded five points (one goal, four assists) and 16 penalty minutes. In 129 career AHL regular season games with Manchester, the 24-year-old has recorded 34 points (13 goals, 21 assists) and 70 penalty minutes. The Detroit, Michigan native was originally selected by the Kings in the third round (63rd overall) in the 2008 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

Quailer is in his second AHL season. In 12 games this season with Hamilton, the 6’4”, 209-pound forward has recorded five points (one goal, four assists) and 15 penalty minutes. In 76 career AHL regular season games with Hamilton, the 24-year-old has recorded 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) and 69 penalty minutes. The Arvada, Colorado native was selected by the Canadiens in the third round (86th overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.